RIBO Level 1 Entry-Level Broker Exam

About the exam

The RIBO Level 1 Entry-Level Broker Exam is the first step to becoming a licensed general insurance broker in Ontario, selling cover such as home, car, travel health and commercial insurance. It is developed by the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO), the regulator, and administered by two approved providers: the Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC) and the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO).

Passing, together with a job at a RIBO-registered brokerage and a background check, qualifies you for a Level 1 licence, under which you work under the supervision of a principal broker. Candidates who pass the current Level 1 exam may also sell travel health insurance.

Two changes take effect on 1 January 2027: RIBO exams will be held in person only, with no online sittings, and the wait after two failed attempts with the same provider drops from eight months to three. Also worth knowing: a pass is valid for only 12 months for a licence application.

Who has to sit it

Anyone who wants to act as a general insurance broker in Ontario needs a RIBO licence, and the Level 1 exam is the usual route for people new to insurance. No course is required: RIBO does not run or accredit preparation courses, although the IIO and IBAO offer some, and you can study on your own from RIBO's competency profile and the legislation it lists. You do not need a job to sit the exam, but you do need one with a RIBO-registered brokerage to be licensed. People with insurance experience, a licence from another province or an insurance designation may qualify for equivalency exams instead. Licensing also requires a criminal record check less than 60 days old and meeting RIBO's sole-occupation rule; an adjuster, real estate or mortgage broker licence cannot be held alongside a RIBO licence.

What is on it

General insurance and industry knowledge 25%

Insurance principles, the broker's role and how the industry works; across the exam RIBO also tests the Registered Insurance Brokers Act, its regulations and RIBO's by-laws.

Personal lines automobile 25%

Ontario car insurance, including the standard owner's policy and its coverages.

Personal lines habitational 25%

Insurance for homes and other residential property, and how policies respond to losses.

Commercial lines 20%

Insurance for businesses and the risks commercial clients face.

Travel health 5%

Travel health insurance products, which a Level 1 pass now allows you to sell.

The paper

• 100 multiple-choice questions that count towards your grade, in three hours; RIBO adds 15 pilot questions that are not scored.
• The pass mark is 75%, which is 75 of the 100 scored questions.
• By topic: 25 questions each on general insurance, automobile and habitational, 20 on commercial lines and 5 on travel health.
• Around 40-45% of questions test knowledge, 40-45% comprehension and 15-20% application.
• Until the end of 2026 you can sit it online with a virtual proctor or in person; from 1 January 2027 it is in person only, at test centres in Canada.
• Bring original, valid government-issued photo ID in the name you registered with; copies are not accepted.
• Accommodations are requested from your exam provider with supporting documentation; distance from a test centre does not count as a ground.

How to book it

1. Check RIBO's registration checklist before you book, since passing does not guarantee you will be licensed.
2. Register and pay with one of the two providers, the IIC or the IBAO, which set the dates, times and locations.
3. For 2027, IIC exams in the Greater Toronto Area run on Mondays and Thursdays, and other IIC chapters hold them twice a month on Wednesdays; IIC registration for 2027 opens on 1 December 2026.
4. On exam day, show your original photo ID; without it you must reschedule and pay the provider's fee.
5. You receive unofficial results within two business days and official results 14 days after the exam, with your overall score and a breakdown by content area.
6. You have two attempts per provider; after two failures with the same provider you wait eight months (three months from 1 January 2027), or you can switch to the other provider.
7. Within 12 months of passing, apply to RIBO with a job offer from a registered brokerage, government ID and a recent criminal record check, and pay the licence fee.

Fees and dates

Exam fee

CAD 325 (about EUR 218) per attempt, paid to the exam provider (source 5)

Licence fee

CAD 265 (about EUR 178) a year for October 2026 to September 2027 (source 5)

When

IIC 2027: Toronto area on Mondays and Thursdays, other chapters twice a month on Wednesdays; registration opens 1 December 2026 (source 7)

Format from 2027

In person only from 1 January 2027 (source 4)

Results

Unofficial within two business days; official after 14 days (source 4)

Validity

12 months from the exam date for a licence application (source 1)

Retake wait

Two attempts per provider, then eight months; three months from 1 January 2027 (source 4)

Fees and dates change: each is as its source stated it on 29 October 2026. Check it there before you book.

Questions people ask

How many questions are on the RIBO Level 1 exam?

There are 100 scored multiple-choice questions, and you have three hours. RIBO also includes 15 pilot questions that do not count towards your grade.

What is the pass mark?

You need 75%, which is 75 of the 100 scored questions. Your results report shows your overall score and how you did in each content area.

Can I take the RIBO exam online?

Until the end of 2026, yes, with a virtual proctor. From 1 January 2027 all RIBO exams are in person only, at test centres in Canada.

What happens if I fail?

You can try twice with each provider. After two failed attempts with the same provider you must wait eight months, or three months from 1 January 2027, but you can sit with the other provider without waiting.

How long are my results valid?

A pass can be used for a licence application for 12 months from the exam date. After that you would need to sit the exam again.

Do I need a job with a brokerage before the exam?

No. You can sit the exam without a job, but you need employment with a RIBO-registered brokerage before you can be licensed.

Do I have to take a course first?

No. RIBO does not require or accredit preparation courses. You can study on your own from RIBO's competency profile, sample questions and the legislation it lists, or take a course from the IIO or IBAO.

Sources

1. Examinations — RIBO
2. Level 1 – Entry-Level Broker Exam — RIBO
3. Entry-Level Broker Competency Profile and Level 1 Blueprint — RIBO
4. Discontinuation of RIBO's Online Exams — RIBO
5. Application & Licence Fees — RIBO
6. Level 1 Licensing — RIBO
7. Level 1 Broker Exams — Insurance Institute of Canada

Checked against these sources on 29 October 2026.